Joseph Manopello

Author on Reedsy Prompts since May, 2022

Stories (6)

6 Stories

121 karma pts

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“Home Cooking” by Joseph Manopello

Submitted to Contest #233

Jan 1, 2024 - Primary resolution: a home-cooked dinner for every night in January. I live on unhealthy fast food, expensive ready-made meals from the grocery store, or nothing at all far too often. I hate that trite language, like "new year, new you!" Yet, this year will be different. A month of healthy, tasty, home-cooked meals is just what I need to kick off the year right - I'll save money and look and feel a whole lot better. Other resolutions: lose 40 pounds, quit all drinking, read one book per week, and make more money. Dinner tonig...

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“Residuum” by Joseph Manopello

Submitted to Contest #232

Most of us believe - or hope - that at least some aspects of our lives and the world around us hold a degree of permanence. Though we exchange idioms such as "nothing is certain but death and taxes," we also say "the earth will keep turning," and put some faith in immutability - the love for our children, the phases of the moon, the certainty that the sun will predictably rise and set every morning. However, the universe also seems to tell us that absolutely nothing is unchangable, that nothing remains as it is forever. Hang around long enou...

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“Christmas Tea” by Joseph Manopello

Submitted to Contest #227

December, 1776 - Outside Trenton, New Jersey "Come on now, wake up, child! You shan't sleep the entire morning, there are chores that need doing." At the sound of her mother's voice, Lucy's eyes fluttered open. She was already awake, but was laying still until the last possible moment, warm under the heavy quilts and blankets. She briefly pulled the covers over her head, basking in the warmth, then sighed and hopped out of bed. She glanced at George, Benjamin and Daniel, and barely made out their forms in the darkness of the room. Ge...

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“Analysis” by Joseph Manopello

Submitted to Contest #226

Sensitive Content: Contains discussions of firearms and contemplation of violence. The morning sun streamed through the window, accentuating Tim's shirt as it billowed comically at odd angles. He turned to the left, stared at his reflection, and sighed. He hadn't worn a suit since the funeral, and the 40 pounds he dropped made him feel as though he was wearing an oversized apron instead of a dress shirt. Beads of sweat formed on his forehead as he again unzipped his pants, regrouped the excess length of white cotton, and frantically smoot...

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“Accidental Hope” by Joseph Manopello

Submitted to Contest #161

Lisa winced as she slowly rose from the floor. She spent the last ten minutes on her hands and knees, scrubbing milk from the carpet. If it had been coffee, or even one of those faux-milk protein drinks, she might have considered leaving it for tomorrow. Milk, however, leaves a telltale odor that’s nearly impossible to eradicate after it sets. Despite her best efforts, she’s sure she’ll smell it when she walks in the house tomorrow. She looked out the window. The late afternoon sun flooded the spacious yard with a pleasant glow. Beautiful ...

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“Weekend Tea” by Joseph Manopello

Submitted to Contest #160

“What is that sound?” Jack gingerly walked across the dining room, hyper-conscious of every step. His body was disconnected from his brain, and every minute motion took herculean effort, like trying to run in a dream. He knew he would either fall to the ground, or freeze on the spot if he didn’t continue moving, so he continued, one step at a time. As he walked, or tried his best imitation at walking, the sound, a shrill scream that his battered brain was unable to connect with any known sound, grew louder. He knew he had to do something ...

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Author bio

I always wanted to write, but sat around for far too long thinking about it rather than putting pen to paper. This venue is much appreciated, as it seems like an ideal way to wade into the pool. Lifelong Upstate New Yorker. Interests include nonfiction, history of all types, sociology, dystopian fiction, stories with introspection, existentialism. Some favorite authors/books in no particular order: Shelby Foote, A Tree Grows in Brooklyn, Anthony Bourdain, Camus, Sartre (sort of), Dickens, In Cold Blood, Herman Wouk, Richard Wright, A River Runs Through It.